Empathy, Sociability & Sharing

Term:
Spring 2013

Subject Code:
GPSY

Course Number:
6319

What is the scientific evidence for the commonly held belief that "Homo homini lupus"? In this course we attempt to ascertain whether the aggression and possession are the fundamental characteristics of human nature, or it is rather sociability, connectedness and empathy that are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. The will read broadly and across disciplines: scientific articles using brain imaging technique, behavioral studies on imitative behavior, early psychoanalytical accounts and their critique by object-relation scholars, and anthropological and sociological ac